The core
Foam is light and insulates well; solid timber can weigh twice as much and resists forcing and impact far better.
Composite front doors in London
Composite front doors for London homes, chosen by what is inside the slab and fitted by our own team.
01uPVC and composite doors
What is a composite front door?
A composite front door is a slab of frame, core and outer skin, not a single plastic profile like uPVC. The core decides how it behaves, so ask what is in the slab before you choose.
The skin
GRP gives a convincing woodgrain but can crack when hit; ABS flexes, hides deep scratches and does not break through.
Dark colours
A dark skin can chalk, fade or bow on a sunny front; one that reflects UV and infrared stays cooler.
02Technical specification
Specification.
Every option is confirmed at survey, against your opening and your build stage.
- Construction
- Frame, core and outer skin
- Finishes
- Woodgrain and smooth matt colours, including Anthracite Grey
- Security
- PAS24 tested options available
- Survey
- Measured on site before manufacture
- Fitting
- Supplied and fitted by our own installation team
- Core options
- Polyurethane foam, laminated veneer lumber or hardwood
- ABS skin
- Tinted-through, 2 to 4 mm thick
- Lead time
- Made to order; confirmed with your quote
03Asked before every survey
The questions that matter.
What is the difference between a composite door and a uPVC door?
A composite door is a built-up slab; a uPVC door is a plastic profile with a thin infill. That infill is around 28 mm of polystyrene in a steel-reinforced multi-chamber frame. Against boots and levers, a front door's real test, the stiffer slab wins.
Are all composite doors the same inside?
No, and the catalogue photo will not show it. A typical foam-core slab is 44 mm with a GRP skin under 1.5 mm, which can crack to pale fibreglass under a boot; stronger doors run 48 to 70 mm with solid timber and thicker ABS.
Will a dark composite door fade or warp in the sun?
A basic GRP skin can. Over the years its gelcoat breaks down, leaving chalky dust and uneven colour, worst on dark doors facing south, and the heat can bow the slab. Tinted-through ABS or a heat-reflective skin stays cooler and holds shape and colour.
How secure is a composite front door?
As secure as its lock and core. PAS24 tested options available; PAS24 means impact and timed tool attacks on door and cylinder. The usual weak spot is the Euro cylinder: unrated, it snaps with grips in under 15 seconds; 3-star (TS007) breaks outside, lock intact.
Is triple glazing worth having in a front door?
Seldom in London, though it looks better on paper. Most heat escapes when the door opens, and a third pane loads the hinges. It earns its place by a loud road, on an exposed north wall or in a Passivhaus-level build; otherwise, warm-edge double glazing.
04Start here
Start with a conversation.
- A render of the finished result before you commit
- Showroom in Ruislip, opposite Ruislip Manor station, with parking
- One team from survey through to installation
Prefer to talk?+44 20 3375 8609Not ready for prices? Send us a message instead